Jamie Clark was Sports Editor of Coral bookmakers between 2014 and 2017 during their merger with Labrokes and a key period for the British betting industry. Working as a bookie’s runner on the point to point circuit in the Midlands and at Market Rasen Racecourse where his late godfather had a trackside pitch growing up, he has had ties to horse racing all of his life. A regular visitor to Cheltenham during the National Hunt season and York over the summer, he has been involved in Horsebetting.com since its inception. Jamie now brings you his take on major news stories from the racing world and those all-important betting tips.
Rouget fancied for fifth win in Chantilly fillies’ Classic
Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget has a terrific record in the extended 1m 2f Prix de Diane, so unbeaten filly Raabihah has leading claims of Classic spoils at Chantilly this Sunday (14:55).
Her handler has won the race four times since 2009. Owner Hamdan Al Maktoum also had stable companion Tawkeel entered, but connections only run Raabihah.
This unbeaten daughter of Sea The Stars has had just two races in her career to date. After an easy all-weather debut win at Cagnes-Sur-Mer in January, she followed-up with another ready success on turf at Listed level.
The Prix de la Seine at Longchamp is slightly further in distance than the Prix de Diane. Raabihah made easy work of her four rivals, keeping on strongly in the final furlong for a four-length win.
All Cristian Demuro had to do in the saddle was push her along. As Raabihah is also open to the most progress of the 11-runner field, she could still have even more to offer.
The fact that connections rely solely on her, and not owner-stable companion Tawkeel who is also undefeated, speaks volumes.
Rouget’s stable is in fine form and on a hot 50 per cent strike in the last 14 days at the time of writing. Everything points to a huge run from Raabihah here.
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Trio of Irish raiders feared most
It’s an Irish filly in Alpine Star that heads the betting, however. Trained by Jessica Harrington the Niarchos Family, the original plan was to run in the French 1000 Guineas.
The travel situation during the global pandemic made things complicated, however, so connections went to Royal Ascot for the Group 1 Coronation Stakes instead.
Prior to that, Alpine Star won a Galway maiden where she was 3 1/4 lengths too good for subsequent Irish Derby hero Santiago. She also landed the Group 2 Debutante Stakes at The Curragh with a late run.
Alpine Star took her form to a new level on reappearance. She had a peach of a ride from Frankie Dettori and stayed on really strongly for a 4 1/4 lengths victory over Breeders’ Cup winner Sharing.
The way she finished off the race suggests stepping up in trip is no problem for Alpine Star. Stephane Pasquier now takes the ride and, while another jockey change isn’t ideal, she has strong claims.
Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Peaceful was rerouted to the Prix de Diane by trainer Aidan O’Brien as connections were disappointed by the prize money for the Epsom Oaks.
This is less of a step up in trip for the daughter of Galileo than going there. Peaceful is two from three over a mile and stayed on well to take Classic spoils at The Curragh by two lengths.
Re-opposing rival Fancy Blue also comes over. Trained by Donnacha O’Brien for the Coolmore set, the daughter of Deep Impact went from sixth to second in the final furlong of the Irish 1000 Guineas.
That strongly suggests that Fancy Blue wants further. She gets it here, but is twice the price of Peaceful. It leaves Fancy Blue as a solid each-way alternative to the first three in the betting.
Speak Of The Devil and Miss Extra each-way options for Prix De Diane
Of those at bigger prices, Speak Of The Devil got a mile as a juvenile and may appreciate further now.
Trained by Fabrice Chappet, she was just held by a nose in the French 1000 Guineas by Dream And Do. It was an agonising defeat for a filly weak in the market before the off of that Classic.
Connections are out for compensation here. Given she has had just three starts and suffered such a narrow loss last time out, there is still improvement to come.
Speak Of The Devil is a daughter of Wootton Bassett and gets Mickael Barzalona on board for the first time. The double figure odds available look generous while they last.
Miss Extra is an in-form filly, meanwhile, and comes to Chantilly off the back of a hat-trick. Trained by Pia Brandt, the daughter of Masterstroke has made rapid progress since joining her current stable.
She has won all three of her starts as a three-year-old to date. Miss Extra scored in handicap company at Longchamp when horse racing resumed in France on 11 May.
Connections then stepped her up into Listed company where she followed-up and scored by a length. Miss Extra then continued her improvement with victory in the Group 2 Prix de Sandringham at this venue.
She confirmed previous form with Golden Crown over a mile when running on strongly to lead in the final 50 yards. That speed in the closing stages could surprise a few in the Prix de Diane if Miss Extra improves again.
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